Technology to Aid Mount Everest Climbers

Existing technology, including weather monitoring and oxygen systems, make it a little easier for mountaineers to conquer Mount Everest.

18:33 22 March 2018

Climbing 8,848 metres to conquer Mount Everest is still no easy feat. However, new and innovative mountaineering kits are constantly improving and can make the climb a little bit bearable.

 

In May 2018, Rupert Jones-Warner is going to attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest twice, on two routes, consecutively using modern kits.

 

Talking about how much it would cost to realise his goals, he said: The expedition is costing £55,000, which is a lot of money, but it’s a two-month thing. So far I’ve got £40,000 and I’m trying to find the last £15,000 in the next week or so, which is tough. Raising those sums is actually, I’d say, about 80% of the challenge. I’m more stressed about it. Once I get to the mountain I can relax and just focus on getting from A to B each day. It’s a tough slog.”

 

He confirmed that he is taking with him a Garmin watch with a heart rate monitor and also GoPros to film the whole expedition. He is also taking a Sony Alpha 7 to take photos. To stay warm, he is going to take an extra thick down jacket, thicker gloves, and a good head torch.

 

Rupert is going up alongside two teams. He said: “In theory, I summit the south side, come back down, jump in a helicopter, go around to the north side and join up with the second team and go straight for the second summit. It’s certainly going to be a cocktail of both the physical and psychological. A lot of it is about nutrition, knowing when to push and when not to push, as well as resting as much as you can inbetween.”